Siena Cathedral, Siena

Siena Cathedral, or Duomo di Siena, stands as a masterpiece of Italian Romanesque-Gothic architecture in the heart of medieval Siena, Italy. Constructed between the 12th and 14th centuries, the cathedral is renowned for its intricately designed façade, adorned with white and black marble — the colors symbolic of Siena, said to represent the white and black horses of the city's founders, Senius and Aschius.

The cathedral's striking exterior is matched by its sumptuous interior, which features a unique black and white striped pattern along the walls and columns, echoing the exterior marble. Visitors are captivated by the elaborate mosaic floor, which is considered one of the most impressive in all of Italy. Composed of 56 panels created by various artists, the floor depicts biblical stories and classical myths, and is usually uncovered for a few weeks each year for public viewing.

One of the notable treasures inside Siena Cathedral is the Piccolomini Library, frescoed by Pinturicchio and home to a collection of illuminated choir books. The library also houses a statue by the young Michelangelo. Additionally, the cathedral's pulpit, sculpted by Nicola Pisano, is a remarkable piece of art, illustrating scenes from the Life of Christ in a revolutionary way that heralded the coming of the Renaissance.

The cathedral's bell tower, with its white and black layers, offers a commanding view of the city for those willing to climb its narrow steps. Adjacent to the cathedral stands the incomplete New Cathedral (Duomo Nuovo), an ambitious extension halted due to the Black Death. The remnants, known as the "Facciatone," provide a panoramic vista of Siena and the surrounding Tuscan countryside.